At least 100 gathered in front of the Puppy Store in Merrick on Saturday afternoon to protest alleged animal abuse and neglect, following the March 2 arrest of its owner, Robert Lawrence.

Courtesy John Scalesi

By Erik Hawkins

At least 100 gathered in front of the Puppy Store in Merrick on Saturday afternoon to protest alleged animal abuse and neglect, following the March 2 arrest of its owner, Robert Lawrence.

Lawrence, 40, of Woodmere, was charged with overdriving, torturing and injuring animals because he allegedly failed to provide a 6-month-old Labrador retriever with proper veterinary care, according to Miriam Sholder, spokeswoman for the Nassau County district attorney’s office.

Lawrence's attorney, Michael Alber, said last week that his client, who had pleaded not guilty, would be exonerated in court, and would "never hurt an animal, ever."